VACHL league rules are designed to ensure safety of players and enjoyment of the game. Without getting too technical, here is a general overview of VACHL's rules and procedures (if you need clearification, please email vachl.hockey@gmail.com). All other types of penalties (ie. hooking, tripping, unsportsmanlike conduct, etc.) are enforced but may not be listed below.
OFFICIATING
*** Aggressive play is STRICTLY enforced (ie. contact, especially along the boards). Using your body to gain position is allowed as it is part of the game, but throwing your weight, bodying other players off the puck, etc. is not.
*** 3 penalties in a game = game ejection, and possibly further discipline. Players ejected from the game must retire to the dressing and remain off the playing surface, including the bench.
*** Majors: Any major penalty will result in an ejection with a Game Misconduct AND minimum 1 game suspension (depending on the severity). Two majors in a season constitutes banishment from the league without refund.
*** Fighting/Attempt to Injure: Any fighting or attempt to injure will result in a Major/Match Penalty with a Game Misconduct AND minimum 3 games suspension (depending on the severity).
*** Match:
1 Match penalty in a season constitutes banishment from the league without refund. VACHL has built a "clean" reputation and plans to maintain it. Players come to have fun, not to get injured.
*** Stick infractions will result in a 6 min running time penalty (although treated as a double minor in-game, will only count as 1 penalty toward 3 penalty ejection rule).
*** Bodychecking and boarding will result in a 6 min running time penalty (although treated as a double minor in-game, will only count as 1 penalty toward 3 penalty ejection rule).
List of penalties that are automatic double minors:
1. Cross-checking
2. Slashing
3. Spearing
4. Butt-ending
5. High-sticking
6. Bodychecking
7. Boarding
*** Hacking/slashing the goalie after he/she clearly has the puck covered in an attempt to jar the puck loose (whistle blown or not) will result in a 3 min penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct at official's discretion.
*** Unsportsmanlike conduct : trashing talking or taunting opponents, arguing with refs, or any unsportsmanlike conduct will result in a minor (3 min), a misconduct (15 min), and/or a game ejection. Participation in the league/game is a privilege, not a right, so please play with sportsmanship and respect for your opponents and the officials.
*** A high-sticking penalty that results in blood drawn is an automatic major (7 min) with a game ejection. The League will review the game report and hand out a suspension, if necessary.
*** Any contact to the head of an opponent with any part of player's body or equipment is an automatic major (7 min) with a game misconduct. The League will review the game report and hand out a suspension, if necessary.
*** Checking From Behind is an automatic major (7 min) with a game ejection. The League will review the game report and hand out a suspension, if necessary.
*** "Reckless/Dangerous Play" -- is an additional minor (separate penalty) that can be added on at the discretion of the referee if they deem that the the first penalty was unnecessarily aggressive or the offender was "out of control".
An example of a common situation that can result in a Reckless/Dangerous play penalty is if a player is skating around very fast, barely in control, trying to chase down an opposing player and trying to make body contact but hits the boards really hard because the opposing player got out of the way just in time.
This could be a 3 minute penalty for Reckless/Dangerous Play.
In the same example, instead of hitting the boards, the offender makes body contact at full speed on the player. Result: 6 minute double-minor for bodychecking or boarding, with a possible additional 3 minute penalty for Reckless/Dangerous Play.
The key is when you play, make sure you're playing in control and not putting others, or even yourself, in positions or situations that are dangerous.
*Note: 15 min Misconducts apply to 3 penalty ejection rule. A game ejection penalty can be attached to any penalty if the official feels the player is unfit to continue the game .
*Note: Penalties served as bench minors (i.e. Too many men) or for others (ex. goalie) do not count toward the 3 penalty ejection rule for the serving individual. They also do not count toward the PIM Threshold;
*** If a player is to surpass 35 PIM over the course of the regular season, they will automatically be suspended 1 game and eligibility for the league will be reviewed. Penalties served for the team (bench minors) or goalie will be noted and not counted toward individual PIM total. ***
*** A player returning from a 1gm suspension for surpassing 35 PIM will be suspended from the league if they are to surpass 17 PIM after their return. ***
***Special Note: BLADES or NEW FREE AGENTS - If they surpass 10 PIM over the course of the remainder of the regular season (5 games), they will automatically be suspended 1 game and eligibility for the league will be reviewed. ***
*** At the start of playoffs, the PIM threshold is reset for all players. If a player is to surpass 15 PIM over the course of the playoffs (5 games), they will automatically be suspended 1 game. If they have already received a suspension of any length during the regular season, they will be suspended the remainder of the playoffs. ***
MAJOR INFRACTIONS
Any of the following action(s) will constitute instant lifetime banishment from the league without refund:
a) Physical abuse or serious verbal threat of a ref(s) or player(s) on or off the ice;
b) Third man in or jumping off the bench during an altercation;
c) Property damage of the rink facilities or other players' belongings;
d) Suspended player playing or player that is not on the team's roster.
* These rules are for the safety of the players.
SUSPENSIONS
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***Any player to receive a 15 minute Misconduct penalty in the last 15minutes of the game will serve an automatic 1 game suspension.
- *** A major penalty in the last 10min of a game is an automatic additional 1 game suspension.
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During a game, if a referee calls a game misconduct, gross misconduct, match penalty or fighting penalty, the referee(s) will write up the incident with as much detail as possible and forward this to the League Coordinator. The referee is only responsible for calling the penalties. Referees do not hand out suspensions. The player in question will be suspended from league play until further notice.
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The League Coordinator will inform the League Management team, (consisting presently of the Britannia and Kerrisdale arena programmers) to discuss the incident and recommend that the normal course of suspension should follow OR explain if there are other circumstances that need to be taken into consideration that would warrant a suspension outside the realm of the "norm".
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The League Management team will issue the suspension, to be given out by the League Coordinator. The League Coordinator will contact the suspended player, to inform them of the suspension as well as contacting their team captain.
- *** If the League Coordinator is present at game, they can also write up a game report for any major infractions that the referees may have missed, and players can be suspended for actions not caught or seen by referees, even if said player is able to finish the game.
- Generally, suspension start at the following:
- Major. Minimum 1 game.
- Match. Minimum 3 games.
- Fighting. Minimum 3 games.
APPEALS TO SUSPENSIONS
If after a suspension has been imposed, a team wishes to appeal that suspension, the following procedures should be followed:
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The team captain will send in writing the reason for the appeal. Included should be the details of the game, (i.e. date, time, reason for the appeal). It is imperative that as many details as possible are included, but that you are specific, factual and to the point.
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The Suspension review team which consists of the League Management Team, in conjunction with the League Coordinator, Head Referee and Vancouver Park Board Stanley District Recreation Coordinator will review all information provided. At this point, the captain of the opposing team may be contacted for their account regarding this incident.
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The Suspension review team will vote to make a decision on the appeal. Once a decision has been made, the League Coordinator will notify each of the Team Captain's separately of the decision that is made.
TEAM ROSTERS
- Visiting team provides scoresheet at games
- Visiting team wears white (or contrasting colours agreed to by both teams prior to game)
- The minimum number of skaters to start a game is 5 plus a goalie. If a team is unable to field a team on the ice at anytime during the game (i.e. penalty trouble, etc.), they will forfeit the game, with the official score being 3-0.
GAME FORMAT
***3 X 20 minute running time periods:
*** 25:00 on the clock at start of ice-time
*** Whistle at 21:30, refs will wait at centre and drop puck at approximately the 20:00 mark of the 1st period. Clock will run past 20:00 mark if players are not ready
*** 21:00 put up for start of 2nd and 3rd period
*** Whistle at 20:30, refs will wait at centre and drop puck at approximately the 20:00 mark of 2nd or 3rd period. Clock will run past 20:00 mark if players are not ready
*** final 2 mins of play is stoptime IF the score is within 2 goals. If a scorekeeper is unavailable, it is responsibility of the HOME team to work the clock (or a volunteer from the stands).
*** if tied, OT - Running 5min (or less), 5 vs 5, changes on the fly ONLY, no timeouts
*** 5:00 (or less) will go up on the clock and start immediately. There is no shootout.
*** Our game ends when our icetime ends. If there is a delay in the middle of the game, the clock never stops. If it does, game clock for 3rd period / overtime will be adjusted for time left in our ice slot. Each slot is 1h 15min
GAME RULES
*** Blue-line icing (icing from your own zone)
*** Quick faceoffs (make your line changes between whistles quick), refs will drop the puck regardless if the centreman is ready.
*** Timeouts: one 30 sec timeout once per game. Timeouts stop the time, no timeouts in OT
*** Crease rule. The refs will stop the play if an opposing player enters or stays within the crease without the puck. Players are allowed to enter crease to get a loose puck if it is inside the crease.
*** Slapshots: back swing has to be below waist. "Fake" slapshots above the waist will also be blown down. Infraction will result in a faceoff in offending team's zone.
*** Slapshot or fake slapshot in own zone = no line change for defensive team
*** High-sticks on the puck will result in a faceoff in the offending team's zone (stoppage only if offending team gains possession after high-stick contact)
*** Any time a goalie is hit in the helmet/mask by the puck, the play will be stopped immediately by the official. The play will be considered ended at the moment the goalie was struck in the helmet/mask.
*** If players lose their helmet during the game, the play will immediately be blown down and stopped by the referee. The player with the helmet dislodged will need to be substituted by a new player after retrieving their helmet.
*** If you drop your glove, you must pick it up right away or go straight to your bench. If you continue play without a glove you will be assessed a minor penalty for "illegal equipment"
*** Players are required to keep their helmets on at all times while on the playing surface, on the benches, or in the penalty box. This includes after the game and during the handshake. Any player who has their helmet off at the conclusion of the game can be assessed a misconduct and may receive an automatic 1 game suspension.
*** This rule also applies to goaltenders. You may pull your mask up to drink water inbetween whistles, etc. but your mask must remain on during handshakes, etc. until you are off the ice.
*** Player-coaches are allowed on the bench but need to be wearing a helmet and has to be a player on the roster. Suspended players are not allowed to be on the bench as a player-coach while serving a suspension.
REGULAR SEASON STANDINGS
End of season, teams are ranked by points percentage within their division. Tie breakers are:
i) head to head
ii) lowest PIM (average per game)
iii) lowest goals against (average per game)
iv) coin flip
PLAYOFF FORMAT - TOURNAMENT
All teams will play a total of 5 games (4 Round Robin and 1 finals game). Round Robin games begin on Thursday, February 12th, 2026.
1) Teams will be divided into 2 Groups (A and B) based on regular season standings.
Group A will have #1,4,5,8,9
Group B will have #2,3,6,7,10
2) Teams will play 4 round robin games against their own pool.
3) Teams are then ranked after round robin by points (2pt win, 0pt loss, 1pt OTL). The tie breakers in the round robin standings are:
i) head to head (playoffs)
ii) total wins (playoffs)
iii) lowest pims (playoffs)
iv)
lowest goals against (playoffs)
v) regular season standing
4) Classification/Finals Games: The following matchups will be determined based on standings after round robin play
GroupA #1 vs GroupB #1 (1st Place)
GroupA #2 vs GroupB #2 (3rd Place)
GroupA #3 vs GroupB #3 (5th Place)
GroupA #4 vs GroupB #4 (7th Place)
GroupA #5 vs GroupB #5 (9th Place)
EQUIPMENT
Full gear is MANDATORY - no exceptions. Players will not be allowed to participate in the game if equipment requirements are not met, please see below for details.
VACHL requires a minimum half shield with mouthguard or cage with mouthguard optional, for facial protection.
Equipment (which includes helmets, cages, gloves, etc) cannot be modified in any way. Players with equipment that have been altered or is not suitable for ice hockey will not be allowed to participate in the game. This is includes, but not limited to: modified shoulder pads (ex. shoulder caps removed), removed earguards, bars cut out of cages, lacross gloves, etc.
As a general rule, equipment in disrepair will be considered inadequate and participation will be revoked. Ex. gloves cannot have holes in the palms or fingers.
All players and goalies are required to have BNQ/CE certified neck protection (undergarments with built in BNQ/CE certified neck protection are acceptable). Any player without certified neck protection will not be allowed to participate.
As a reminder, any player found in infraction of any equipment violation will not be allowed to participate. A player found violating these policies during a game will receive a minor penalty and be ejected for illegal equipment. They can be allowed back in the game if they are able to produce the necessary equipment.
FEMALE/ALTERNATE CHANGING OPTIONS
Thursday
10pm @ Trout – Use room B (public skate before), teams use rooms A & C
Friday
9:45pm @ Hillcrest – Use extra referee room (located in hallway near Zamboni gate)
Saturday
11pm @ Trout – N/A (or Women's Washroom)
Sunday
10:30pm @ Killarney – Use extra referee room
10:30pm @ Trout – N/A (or Women's Washroom)
Vancouver Parks and Recreation Behaviour Expectations
Safe Access for Everyone Policy:
https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/safe-access-for-everyone-policy.aspx
We expect that everyone in our spaces will –
• Take responsibility for their own behaviour
• Will talk in a normal tone and avoid swearing
• Keep their cool and treat others with respect
• Not damage or take equipment or property that does not belong to them.
• Ensure they are not intoxicated
Without limiting our policy statement, the following behaviour is unacceptable and staff will be required to report any occurrence involving them:
• Anti-social or negative behaviour resulting from intoxication or the use of drugs or alcohol,
• The consumption of alcohol or drugs in our washroom facilities,
• Smoking or vaping within our spaces,
• Bringing weapons into our spaces,
• Violent or aggressive behaviour,
• Theft or vandalism of recreation or patron property,
• Making threats, attempting to intimidate, goading and inciting others to violence,
• Any action that promotes discrimination, racism or hatred,
• The use or display of abusive or offensive materials, words, or images,
• Any action that damages, defaces, fouls or pollutes any Vancouver Park Board
property,
• Any activity or conduct that would be detrimental to the environment at the site,
breaches posted rules and may negatively affect those in the immediate surrounding area.
These behaviours will result in the user groups or individual(s) responsible having appropriate measures implemented to prevent these behaviours being repeated. Measures may include verbal warnings, development of behavioural expectation agreement, access restrictions, and suspension or termination of use of park and recreation facilities, services and access to properties.
